By Harlan Kirgan Editor
The St. Landry Parish School District received a C in school performance scores released by the state Department of Education.
The district’s score edged up two points to 73.1 from its 2015 score, but that lagged behind neighboring parishes.
Acadia and Evangeline parishes received Bs.
Acadia Parish rose from 87 points last year to 97.3 this year.
Evangeline Parish schools moved their district score from 76.3 — a C — to 95.8.
The state average was 83, which is a letter grade of C.
St. Landry Parish’s new superintendent, Patrick Jenkins, said, “I think St. Landry Parish did well. I’m happy we show some growth.”
The parish’s schools reversed a downward trend, he said.
Jenkins said small changes are underway now. Principals have been requested to submit action plans, he said.
Jenkins asked the School Board recently to begin thinking about a strategic plan to chart the district’s future.
“Everything is on the table,” he said Friday.
“We are going to do whatever it takes to get our students to be successful,” he said.
Jenkins issued a news release on the results.
“I would like to recognize all students, parents, teachers, support staff, and administrators for their diligence and hard work put forth in improving the 2015-2016 district performance score,” he stated.
Jenkins noted 22 St. Landry Parish public schools showed an increase in academic growth ranging from 0.2 to 11.2 points.
“One area of recognized growth for the district is that of preparing students for college and careers by way of the ACT assessment. The district realized growth of +14.9 points on the ACT Assessment Index which exceeded the state’s growth of 13.3 points,” he stated.
Four schools have improved a letter grade: South Street Elementary, Opelousas Junior High, Eunice Junior High School, and Port Barre Elementary, he said.
South Street Elementary and Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts have been recognized by the education department as Top Gains Schools for 2016, he stated.
State Superintendent of Education John White said in a news release, “Improved ratings in our schools are a result of improved learning outcomes for students, using nationally recognized measures of success.”
White continued, “At the same time, the ratings do not yet recognize progress being made with students who are starting at a lower level. They also do not yet provide students, parents, and educators a full picture of what it takes to be fully prepared for college or for a job. Just as we honor the successes reflected by today’s announcement, we must provide a more comprehensive picture of what it means to be a successful school.”
The state department news release also included:
— In 2015-2016, students made progress on multiple measures including tests in grades 3-8, ACT, graduation rate, and performance in credentialing programs such as Advanced Placement, dual enrollment and Jump Start career credentials.
— Grades 3-8 LEAP Tests: The percentage of students scoring “Mastery” and above increased by six percentage points from 2015 to 2016, and over 10 percentage points since 2013.
— ACT: The Class of 2016 earned a record-high average composite for Louisiana - 19.5, making Louisiana the most improved state that assesses all of its students. In 2015-16, student results on the WorkKeys career-readiness assessment were also included in the ACT Index for the first time.
— Graduation Rate: In 2016 Louisiana’s graduation rate reached an all-time high of 77.5 percent. Louisiana raised its graduation rate 10.3 percent in the past five years, outpacing the nation’s growth of 4.6 percent.
Jenkins’ news release about St. Landry Parish results also included:
Four schools improved a letter grade.
Opelousas Junior High and South Street Elementary moved from F to D.
Eunice Junior High and Port Barre Elementary moved from C to B
Sunset Elementary moved from C to D.
Southwest Elementary and Washington Elementary moved from D to F.
A St. Landry Parish charter school, J.S. Clark in Opelousas, received a D, 63; down from a C, 71.7 in 2015.
St. Landry Parish 2016 performance scores.
Cankton Elementary — C, 72.3; last year, C, 70.8.
Central Middle School — C, 74.4; last year C, 66.7.
East Elementary — B, 98.5; last year B, 92.3.
Eunice Elementary — B, 93.8; last year B, 95.1.
Eunice High School — C, 81.3; last year C, 79.9.
Eunice Junior High School — B, 85.1; last year C, 81.5.
Glendale Elementary — B, 95.1; last year B, 87.8.
Grand Coteau Elementary — C, 70.1; last year C, 78.8.
Grand Prairie Elementary — B, 88.8; last year B, 84.3.
Grolee Elementary — D, 670.2; last year D, 49.9.
Highland Elementary — D, 65.9; last year D, 64.8.
Krotz Springs Elementary — B, 85.6; last year B, 84.5.
Lawtell Elementary — C, 69.1; last year C, 77.6.
Leonville Elementary — B, 95.6; last year B, 95.6.
North Elementary — D, 57.7; last year D, 49.5.
Northeast Elementary — D, 48.1; last year D, 45.8.
Opelousas Junior High — D, 49.3; last year F, 44.6.
Opelousas Senior High — D, 61.8; last year D, 68.
Palmetto Elementary — B, 90; last year B, 84.6.
Park Vista Elementary — C, 71.6; last year C, 72.7.
Port Barre Elementary — B, 88.5; last year C, 79.8.
Port Barre Middle — C, 73; last year C, 72.6.
South Street — D, 52.3; last year F, 41.1.
Southwest Elementary — F, 40.3; last year D, 48.8.
Sunset Elementary — D, 66.6; last year C, 77.5.
Washington Elementary — F, 45.8; lst year D, 55.5.
North Central — C, 71.4; last year C, 70.3.
Beau Chene High — C, 84.3; last year C, 83.1.
Northwest High — C, 76.6; last year C, 79.8.
Arnaudville Elementary — B, 91.8; lst year B, 90.5.
Plaisance Elementary — D, 62.9; last year D, 53.3.
Port Barre High — B, 85.7; last year B, 88.6.
Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts — A 112.3; last year A, 103.7.